f zeal and fierce delight were so great and
unequivocal, that the expedition was declared to be a war of the nation.

The instant Uncas had struck the blow, he moved out of the circle, and
cast his eyes up to the sun, which was just gaining the point, when the
truce with Magua was to end. The fact was soon announced by a
significant gesture, accompanied by a corresponding cry; and the whole
of the excited multitude abandoned their mimic warfare, with shrill
yells of pleasure, to prepare for the more hazardous experiment of the
reality.

The whole face of the encampment was instantly changed. The warriors,
who were already armed and painted, became as still as if they were
incapable of any uncommon burst of emotion. On the other hand, the women
broke out of the lodges, with the songs of joy and those of lamentation,
so strangely mingled, that it might have been difficult to have said
which passion preponderated. None, however, were idle. Some bore their
choicest articles, others their young, and some their aged and infirm,
into the forest, which spread itself like a verdant carpet of bright
green against the side of the mountain. Thither Tamenund also retired,
with calm composure, after a short and touching interview with Uncas;
from whom the sage separated with the reluctance that a parent would
quit a long lost and just recovered child. In the meantime, Duncan saw
Alice to a place of safety, and then sought the scout, with a
countenance that denoted how eagerly he also panted for the approaching
contest.

But Hawkeye was too much accustomed to the war-song and the enlistments
of the natives, to betray any interest in the passing scene. He merely
cast an occasional look at the number and quality of the warriors, who,
from time to time, signified their readiness to accompany Uncas to the
field. In this particular he was soon satisfied; for, as has been
already seen, the power of the young chief quickly embraced every
fighting man in the nation. After this material point was so
satisfactorily decided, he despatched an Indian boy in quest of
"Killdeer" and the rifle of Uncas, to the place where they had deposited
the weapons on approaching the camp of the Delawares; a measure of
double policy, inasmuch as it protected the arms from their own fate, if
detained as prisoners, and gave them the advantage of appearing among
the strangers rather as sufferers than as men provided with the means of
defence and subsistence. In s